Develop a 6-8 page reflection on your life, applying the sociological imagination and using specific sociological concepts to better understand your life experiences.
While we may not notice, society is constantly changing. For sociologists, social change is the continual change of society’s culture, structure, and institutions over time. Every society experiences change—it is through this change that the norms and understandings in a society become altered. Fashion is a great example of social change, as what we wear is dependent on the culture at the time. One hundred years ago it was not common for women to wear pants. Now it is perfectly acceptable. While most women are in favor of being able to wear pants, social change is sometimes not always welcome by members of a society. Can you think of any groups or organizations in the United States that are actively opposed to some kind of social change?
Most social change is the result of conflict, demographic change, and technology.
Conflict and change: Conflict in a society (such as a war or even an election) can create significant change in a society.
Demographic change: Changes in the make-up of a population can also affect society. As the makeup of our society in terms of sex, race, age, et cetera, changes, so do many structural and cultural elements of society. How would our society be different if most of the population was under the age of 10? Or over the age of 70?
Ideas and Change: Technology is often a driving force behind social change and has brought significant changes to our society. Think back to twenty years ago—how different was society in terms of technology? How did that impact your everyday life? In our current time, our cell phone alarm wakes us up, we check our smart phone, make some coffee in our Keurig, remote start our car, and then use our navigation system to get us to work. This is a significantly different experience than we had twenty years ago.
As you reflect on your life and experiences in Assessment 6, consider how much has changed over the course of your lifetime. What are some major social changes? What do you think had changed for the better? For the worse?
Demonstration of Proficiency
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 3: Explain the significance of social inequality for the individual and society.
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Explain one’s own educational experience from a sociological perspective.
Competency 4: Analyze the influence of culture on both the individual and society.
Examine the impact of culture and socialization on one’s own life.
Competency 5: Analyze the impact of social change on society and social institutions.
Analyze the impact of social structure, social change, and groups on one’s own life.
Explain sociological issues that affect one’s own field of study.
Analyze the role of technology and media in one’s own life.
Competency 6: Compose text that articulates meaning relevant to its purpose and audience.
Develop text using organization, structure, and transitions that demonstrate understanding of cohesion between main and subtopics.
For this assessment, reflect on the question, “Who am I?” and conduct a micro-level analysis to explain and analyze your everyday experiences. In doing so, you will look at the impact of social forces on your individual life. Using your sociological imagination requires you to apply many of the concepts, theories, and applicable sociological understandings that you have encountered in the course.
Deliverable
Reflect on your everyday experiences that relate to concepts encountered in this course. For example, have you encountered any element of inequality in your life? Have you encountered any norms? Consider how a sociologist would explain these experiences.
Write an essay in which you complete all of the following:
Introduction: Introduce yourself and what you plan on discussing in your paper.
Culture and Socialization: Examine the impact culture and socialization has had on your life. Include the following when creating this section:
How did you develop a sense of self?
What agents of socialization had the biggest impact on you? How?
How has culture influenced your life?
Social Structure and Groups: Analyze the impact of social structure and groups on your life. Include the following:
How have various groups (primary, secondary, reference, et cetera) guided your behavior?
What statuses have you held? What roles have you played?
How have social hierarchies shaped your life choices?
Education: Explain your educational experience from a sociological perspective. In doing so, include the following:
What major functions has education had for you?
How has education been related to your life outcomes?
What experiences with inequality have you had in education?
Professional Field (NURSING): Explain sociological issues that affect your field of study or the field you intend to study at this point in your education. Be sure to include any social changes that may impact your field.
Technology and Media: Analyze the role technology and media have in your everyday life.
What impact have new communication technologies and social media had on your life?
What messages have the media and popular culture communicated to you?
What role has globalization played in your life?
Summary: Briefly describe your experience with this assessment.
Additional Requirements
Written communication: Develop text using organization, structure, and transitions that demonstrate understanding of cohesion between main and subtopics. Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message. Write in a professional style using references and correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Sources: Cite at least five scholarly sources.
Length: 6–8 pages, not including title and reference pages.
Format: Include a title page and reference page. Use in text citations to cite your sources. [Example: Writing becomes better as the child matures (Britton, Thomas, & Miller, 1996).]
Font and size: Times New Roman, 12-point.
